Written Answers Wednesday 21 April 2010

Scottish Executive

Alcohol

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted research on the economic impact of minimum pricing on Scotch whisky exports.

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish all research it has conducted on the economic impact of minimum pricing on Scotch whisky exports.

Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32909 on 20 April 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Alcohol

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings regarding minimum pricing for alcohol have involved the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism.

Nicola Sturgeon: I am responsible for the Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill and I have met with many stakeholders to discuss minimum pricing, some of whom have been supportive and some of whom have been opposed (responses to the Scottish Government’s Alcohol Framework consultation can be found at the following link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/11/26115423/Contents ). Minimum pricing may have been discussed in meetings with other ministers as they engage with stakeholders on issues relevant to their portfolios.

Alcohol

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made to the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism regarding minimum pricing for alcohol.

Nicola Sturgeon: Representations have been made by various organisations to various ministers regarding minimum pricing since discussions on minimum pricing started in 2007. Some of these representations have been in support of minimum pricing and some have been opposed (responses to the Scottish Government’s Alcohol Framework consultation can be found at the following link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/11/26115423/Contents ).

Cancer

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29334 by Nicola Sturgeon on 4 December 2009, whether two-view mammography breast screening has now been rolled out across all NHS boards.

Nicola Sturgeon: Yes.

Crime

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce knife crime in the Lothian and Borders area.

The Executive has supplied the following corrected answer:

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is working with the police-led Violence Reduction Unit to tackle violence across Scotland. Lothian and Borders Police undertake a variety of activities to reduce knife crime. These range from work in secondary schools to highlight the dangers of getting involved with knives, to the deployment of Scottish Government funded Ferroguard metal detectors to keep city and town centres safe.

  I’m pleased to say that we’ve seen a 15.5% reduction in offensive weapons crimes in Lothian and Borders since 2006-07. This should come as no surprise with record numbers of police officers on the streets, record investment in activities for young people through CashBack for Communities, and record investment in the Violence Reduction Unit to address the causes of violent offending.

  I am sure the member will wish to join me in thanking the Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police, and indeed every police officer in the force, for their tireless work to tackle knife crime.

Enterprise

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many organisations were consulted as part of its SME Access to Finance survey, published in July 2009.

John Swinney: The SME Access to Finance survey published in July 2009, interviewed 1,001 small and medium-sized enterprises.

  A more detailed note on methodology can be found on pages 10-11 of the main report at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/access-finance/report.

Enterprise

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations were consulted as part of its SME Access to Finance survey, published in July 2009.

John Swinney: The survey interviewed 1,001 SMEs across all sectors (with exception of public and not-for-profit organisations), and from self-employed firms to businesses with up to 250 employees. The sectors that were included were agriculture, construction, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, hotels/restaurants, transport/communication, business activities, health/social work, and other services. We do not hold information on the names of individual firms, but the types of organisations captured within the survey include a broad range of businesses including construction firms, estate agents, financial providers, childcare facilities and nursing homes and travel agents.

  Please refer to page 10 of the report for further information on methodology. This can be accessed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/access-finance/report.

Enterprise

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensured that an adequate sample was consulted as part of its SME Access to Finance survey, published in July 2009.

John Swinney: The survey sampled 1,001 small and medium-sized businesses, sourced from Dun & Bradstreet/Experian databases. The SME population in Scotland is dominated by micro firms (94%), and therefore, small and medium-sized businesses were over-sampled relative to their population size to allow for meaningful disaggregation of results at firm size level. For the presentation of the results, the overall sample was weighted by size and sector to reflect the true structure of the Scottish SME population. No sectors were excluded from the sampling in 2009, with the exception of the public sector and not for profit organisations.

  More detail on the methodology can be found on pages 10-11 of the report following the following link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/access-finance/report.

Finance

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it is giving to how it can influence the reorganisation of UK banks, as recommended by the Council of Economic Advisers.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government continues to engage with the UK Government and the European Commissioner for Internal Markets and Services in relation to issues concerning the reorganisation of UK banks. I recently wrote to the new European Commissioner Michel Barnier setting out the importance of the financial services industry to the life and economy of Scotland and outlining the role of the pioneering collaboration offered by the Financial Services Advisory Board.

  I hope to meet with Commissioner Barnier on my next visit to Brussels.

Finance

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is seeking to develop its capacity to make informed judgements on issues of financial regulation, as recommended by the Council of Economic Advisers.

John Swinney: Scottish Government ministers and officials engage fully with representatives of all of the sectors which make up the financial services industry in Scotland, particularly though discussions at meetings of the Financial Services Advisory Board, and with appropriate industry representative bodies to ensure we are fully apprised of issues around financial services regulation which may have a particular impact in Scotland.

  Scottish Government ministers are also fully engaged through regular meetings of the Joint Ministerial Council (E) and in addition, officials both in Scotland and in our EU office liaise closely with colleagues from the UK Government and the European Commission to ensure they remain fully informed of national and international thinking on these matters.

Finance

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is seeking to support effective competition in the banking sector in Scotland, particularly given its importance to the wider economy, as suggested by the Council of Economic Advisers.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government continues to engage regularly with the UK Government at both official and ministerial level and I hope to meet with the new European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services during his next visit to Brussels.

Health

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the incidence was of musculoskeletal conditions, also expressed as a percentage of the population, in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by (a) NHS board, (b) age range and (c) gender.

Shona Robison: The information requested is not held centrally. National estimates can however be given of the number of patients consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for musculoskeletal conditions, based on information obtained from a sample of Scottish general practices participating in PTI (Practice Team Information). This sample covers the full range of age, sex, and deprivation classes in Scotland. The PTI sample is only representative at national level, so estimates at NHS board-level cannot be provided.

  The estimated number of people consulting a member of the practice team for a musculoskeletal condition in Scotland, by gender and age group, in the year ending 31 March 2009, based on PTI data, is shown in the following table. Estimates are standardised by deprivation. As musculoskeletal conditions may be treated in a range of healthcare settings and indeed some patients may not report their symptoms at all (especially sprains, backache or cramps), the figures provided are likely to underestimate significantly the true incidence of musculoskeletal conditions in Scotland.

  Patients in Scotland consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for a musculoskeletal condition:

  Estimated Numbers with Corresponding Rates per 1,000 Population by Gender and Age Group; Financial Year 2008-09

  

Gender
Age Group
Estimated Number of Patients
Patients Consulting per 1,000 Registered


Number
Confidence Interval*
Rate
Confidence Interval*


Males
4 years and under
2,641
(2,164-3,118)
18.2
(14.9-21.4)


 
5-14 years
15,296
(13,257-17,335)
51.3
(44.5-58.2)


 
15-24 years
36,833
(32,489-41,176)
102.9
(90.8-115.0)


 
25-34 years
54,232
(46,484-61,981)
142.7
(122.3-163.1)


 
35-44 years
76,054
(69,424-82,685)
175.3
(160.0-190.6)


 
45-54 years
83,760
(76,932-90,587)
209.7
(192.6-226.7)


 
55-64 years
88,566
(83,062-94,070)
270.8
(254.0-287.6)


 
65-74 years
59,156
(55,189-63,122)
272
(253.8-290.2)


 
75 years and over
48,425
(45,189-51,661)
328.5
(306.5-350.4)


 
All ages
466,622
(441,918-491,326)
172.4
(163.3-181.5)


Females
4 years and under
1,964
(1,428-2,501)
14.2
(10.3-18.1)


 
5-14 years
16,059
(13,939-18,180)
56.5
(49.0-64.0)


 
15-24 years
47,928
(43,205-52,651)
137.2
(123.7-150.7)


 
25-34 years
62,092
(56,896-67,288)
174.6
(160.0-189.2)


 
35-44 years
100,955
(93,575-108,335)
245.6
(227.7-263.6)


 
45-54 years
109,419
(103,285-115,553)
281
(265.3-296.8)


 
55-64 years
106,166
(100,608-111,724)
322.2
(305.3-339.1)


 
65-74 years
91,772
(86,951-96,593)
365.7
(346.5-384.9)


 
75 years and over
93,103
(86,739-99,467)
384.2
(357.9-410.5)


 
All ages
632,491
(607,147-657,835)
229.9
(220.7-239.2)


Total
 
1,099,726
(1,052,213-1,147,239)
201.5
(192.8-210.2)



  Source: NHS National Services Scotland’s Information Services Division (ISD).

Health

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many and (b) what percentage of hospital admissions were for a musculoskeletal condition in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by NHS board.

Shona Robison: Information on the number and percentage of hospital stays where a musculoskeletal condition or fracture diagnosis was recorded as a main diagnosis by NHS board of treatment for the latest available financial year is given in the following table.

  Number of NHS Hospital Stays for which a Musculoskeletal Condition or Fracture Diagnosis is Recorded1, 2, 3, 4 by NHS Board, Financial Year Ending 31 March 2009

  

NHS Board of Treatment
Number of Hospital Stays with a Musculoskeletal or Fracture Main Diagnosis
Total Number of Hospital Stays
Percentage of Stays with a Musculoskeletal or Fracture Main Diagnosis (%)


Ayrshire and Arran
7,269
86,919
8.4


Borders
1,996
21,990
9.1


Dumfries and Galloway
2,479
31,305
7.9


Fife
5,727
59,711
9.6


Forth Valley
4,105
38,510
10.7


Grampian
10,753
104,704
10.3


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
29,334
345,236
8.5


Highland
5,468
60,694
9.0


Lanarkshire
8,259
117,831
7.0


Lothian
14,051
166,348
8.4


Orkney
336
4,582
7.3


Shetland
403
3,857
10.4


Tayside
9,130
84,031
10.9


Western Isles
367
6,167
6.0


Golden Jubilee
2,574
16,739
15.4


Total
102,251
1,148,624
8.9



  Source: NHS National Services Scotland’s Information Services Division (ISD)

  Notes:

  1. These statistics are derived from data collected on discharges from non-obstetric and non-psychiatric hospitals (SMR01) in Scotland. Data are based on date of discharge.

  2. The basic unit of analysis for these figures is a continuous stay in hospital. Probability matching methods have been used to link together individual SMR01 discharge episodes for each patient, thereby creating "linked" patient histories.

  3. Up to six diagnoses (one principal and five secondary) are recorded on SMR01 returns. Only the main diagnosis position of the first episode of the hospital stay has been used to identify stays relating to musculoskeletal conditions or fractures.

  4. The following International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes have been used to identify musculoskeletal conditions or fracture diagnoses:

  M00-M25: Arthropathies.

  M30-M36: Systemic connective tissue disorders.

  M40-M54: Dorsopathies.

  M60-M79: Soft tissue disorders.

  M80-M94: Osteopathies and chondropathies.

  M95-M99: Other disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.

  M00-M99: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.

  S02: Fracture of skull and facial bones.

  S12: Fracture of neck.

  S22: Fracture of rib(s), sternum and thoracic spine.

  S32: Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis.

  S42: Fracture of shoulder and upper arm.

  S52: Fracture of forearm.

  S62: Fracture at wrist and hand level.

  S72: Fracture of femur.

  S82: Fracture of lower leg, including ankle.

  S92: Fracture of foot, except ankle.

  T02: Fractures involving multiple body regions.

  T08: Fracture of spine, level unspecified.

  T10: Fracture of upper limb, level unspecified.

  T12: Fracture of lower limb, level unspecified.

  T14.2: Fracture of unspecified body region.

Health

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the incidence was of (a) osteoarthritis and related disorders, (b) osteoporosis and associated fragility fractures, (c) rheumatoid arthritis and related chronic inflammatory diseases, (d) other autoimmune rheumatic diseases, (e) haemoglobinopathies, (f) chronic pain syndromes and (g) conditions resulting from severe trauma in the last year for which information is available, broken down by (i) NHS board, (ii) age range and (iii) gender.

Shona Robison: Information on the exact number of people who have been diagnosed with one of these conditions in Scotland is not available centrally, but national estimates can be given of the number of patients consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for these conditions, based on information obtained from a sample of Scottish general practices participating in PTI (Practice Team Information). This sample covers the full range of age, sex, and deprivation classes existing in Scotland. The numbers in the PTI sample are too small to provide reliable estimates for haemoglobinopathies. It is also not usually possible for clinical coding to identify reliably those conditions that result from severe trauma, since the condition may be recorded but not its cause. The PTI sample is only representative at national level, so estimates at NHS board-level cannot be provided.

  The estimated numbers of people in Scotland consulting a member of the practice team for osteoarthritis and related disorders, osteoporosis and associated fragility fractures, rheumatoid arthritis and related chronic inflammatory diseases, other autoimmune rheumatic diseases and chronic pain syndromes, in the year ending 31 March 2009, are shown in the following tables.

  The figures are likely to considerably underestimate the true occurrence of these conditions as patients may be treated in a range of healthcare settings, or indeed patients who do not consult their GP practice in the given year would not be included in these estimates. The Scottish Government is aware that the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance estimates that, at any one time, there are over 9.6 million people in the UK living with some form of musculoskeletal condition.

  Table 1: Patients in Scotland consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for osteoarthritis and related disorders: Estimated numbers with corresponding rates per 1,000 population: By gender and age group; financial year 2008-09:

  

Gender
Age Group
Patients Consulting per 1,000 Registered
Estimated Number of Patients


Rate
Confidence Interval*
Number
Confidence Interval*


Males
34 years and under
0.2
(0.0-0.3)
182
(0-407)


 
35-44 years
1.8
(1.1-2.5)
779
(481-1,077)


 
45-54 years
9.5
(6.9-12.2)
3,797
(2,738-4,856)


 
55-64 years
31.3
(23.7-38.8)
10,224
(7,754-12,694)


 
65-74 years
39.0
(33.4-44.6)
8,485
(7,260-9,710)


 
75 years and over
60.4
(50.0-70.7)
8,897
(7,376-10,418)


 
All ages
11.7
(10.1-13.2)
31,571
(27,471-35,671)


Females
34 years and under
0.1
(0.0-0.2)
135
(40-231)


 
35-44 years
2.6
(2.0-3.3)
1,080
(823-1,336)


 
45-54 years
14.6
(11.8-17.4)
5,679
(4,602-6,757)


 
55-64 years
39.7
(34.1-45.3)
13,083
(11,233-14,933)


 
65-74 years
54.6
(46.9-62.2)
13,693
(11,780-15,606)


 
75 years and over
71.3
(60.2-82.5)
17,288
(14,590-19,987)


 
All ages
18.4
(16.3-20.5)
50,658
(44,923-56,393)


Total
 
15.1
(13.5-16.7)
82,252
(73,511-90,993)



  Table 2: Patients in Scotland consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for osteoporosis and associated fragility fractures: Estimated numbers with corresponding rates per 1,000 population: By gender and age group; financial year 2008-09:

  

Gender
Age Group
Patients Consulting per 1,000 Registered
Estimated Number of Patients


Rate
Confidence Interval*
Number
Confidence Interval*


Males
34 years and under
0.0
(0.0-0.1)
45
(12-78)


 
35-44 years
0.2
(0.0-0.5)
107
(0-214)


 
45-54 years
1.7
(0.0-4.0)
683
(0-1,610)


 
55-64 years
1.5
(1.0-2.0)
487
(311-663)


 
65-74 years
1.9
(1.1-2.8)
419
(231-607)


 
75 years and over
7.1
(4.4-9.7)
1,040
(644-1,436)


 
All ages
1.0
(0.6-1.4)
2,769
(1,688-3,849)


Females
34 years and under
0.2
(0.1-0.3)
266
(142-390)


 
35-44 years
1.0
(0.6-1.3)
394
(246-541)


 
45-54 years
2.6
(1.7-3.4)
997
(661-1,333)


 
55-64 years
15.8
(9.3-22.3)
5,195
(3,053-7,337)


 
65-74 years
29.1
(18.1-40.2)
7,312
(4,542-10,082)


 
75 years and over
31.4
(22.9-39.8)
7,599
(5,544-9,653)


 
All ages
7.8
(6.0-9.6)
21,453
(16,508-26,398)


Total
 
4.5
(3.4-5.5)
24,405
(18,699-30,111)



  Note: Some of the estimates in the younger age categories are based on small numbers and should therefore be treated with extreme caution.

  Table 3: Patients in Scotland consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for rheumatoid arthritis and related chronic inflammatory diseases: Estimated numbers with corresponding rates per 1,000 population: By gender and age group; financial year 2008-09:

  

Gender
Age Group
Patients Consulting per 1,000 Registered
Estimated Number of Patients


Rate
Confidence Interval*
Number
Confidence Interval*


Males
34 years and under
0.4
(0.1-0.6)
464
(166-763)


 
35-44 years
1.3
(0.6-2.0)
546
(240-852)


 
45-54 years
2.3
(1.6-3.1)
924
(628-1,221)


 
55-64 years
4.3
(3.3-5.3)
1,407
(1,070-1,745)


 
65-74 years
5.3
(3.4-7.1)
1,150
(747-1,553)


 
75 years and over
6.0
(3.7-8.3)
882
(538-1,226)


 
All ages
2.0
(1.6-2.4)
5,433
(4,277-6,590)


Females
34 years and under
0.6
(0.3-0.9)
680
(344-1,015)


 
35-44 years
3.5
(1.8-5.2)
1,457
(760-2,154)


 
45-54 years
5.1
(3.8-6.4)
1,977
(1,475-2,479)


 
55-64 years
10.3
(8.4-12.3)
3,407
(2,754-4,059)


 
65-74 years
12.3
(10.1-14.6)
3,097
(2,532-3,662)


 
75 years and over
7.4
(5.8-9.1)
1,805
(1,403-2,207)


 
All ages
4.4
(3.8-5.0)
12,172
(10,553-13,790)


Total
 
3.2
(2.8-3.7)
17,625
(15,316-19,933)



  Table 4: Patients in Scotland consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for other autoimmune rheumatic diseases: Estimated numbers with corresponding rates per 1,000 population: By gender and age group; financial year 2008-09:

  

Gender 
 Age Group 
Patients Consulting per 1,000 Registered
Estimated Number of Patients


Rate
Confidence Interval*
Number
Confidence Interval*


Males
34 years and under
0.0
(0.0-0.0)
10
(0-29)


 
35-44 years
0.0
(0.0-0.0)
6
(0-21)


 
45-54 years
0.1
(0.0-0.3)
41
(0-101)


 
55-64 years
0.1
(0.0-0.2)
32
(0-71)


 
65-74 years
0.1
(0.0-0.3)
19
(0-67)


 
75 years and over
0.6
(0.0-2.3)
86
(0-340)


 
All ages
0.1
(0.0-0.2)
285
(0-646)


Females
34 years and under
0.2
(0.1-0.3)
202
(95-309)


 
35-44 years
0.4
(0.1-0.7)
167
(54-280)


 
45-54 years
0.6
(0.3-0.8)
226
(127-325)


 
55-64 years
0.8
(0.4-1.1)
257
(138-376)


 
65-74 years
0.8
(0.0-1.9)
195
(0-481)


 
75 years and over
0.1
(0.0-0.2)
34
(9-58)


 
All ages
0.4
(0.2-0.6)
1,097
(675-1,518)


Total
 
0.3
(0.1-0.4)
1,371
(817-1,926)



  Note: These estimates are based on relatively small numbers and should therefore be treated with extreme caution.

  Table 5: Patients in Scotland consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for chronic pain syndromes: Estimated numbers with corresponding rates per 1,000 population: By gender and age group; financial year 2008-09:

  

Gender
Age Group
Patients Consulting per 1,000 Registered
Estimated Number of Patients


Rate
Confidence Interval*
Number
Confidence Interval*


Males
34 years and under
0.6
(0.4-0.9)
751
(490-1,012)


 
35-44 years
3.2
(2.3-4.0)
1,381
(1,013-1,749)


 
45-54 years
4.4
(3.1-5.6)
1,745
(1,245-2,244)


 
55-64 years
5.5
(3.1-7.9)
1,796
(1,024-2,568)


 
65-74 years
3.7
(2.4-5.0)
805
(514-1,097)


 
75 years and over
4.1
(2.1-6.0)
601
(312-889)


 
All ages
2.7
(2.0-3.3)
7,178
(5,320-9,036)


Females
34 years and under
1.8
(0.8-2.7)
1,975
(870-3,080)


 
35-44 years
7.3
(5.6-8.9)
2,998
(2,318-3,678)


 
45-54 years
10.0
(7.6-12.3)
3,877
(2,967-4,786)


 
55-64 years
11.5
(7.7-15.2)
3,776
(2,528-5,023)


 
65-74 years
5.3
(3.6-7.0)
1,337
(906-1,768)


 
75 years and over
6.1
(3.6-8.7)
1,483
(869-2,098)


 
All ages
5.8
(4.6-7.0)
15,945
(12,557-19,334)


Total
 
4.2
(3.4-5.1)
23,154
(18,419-27,889)

Health

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what clinical guidelines and protocols clinicians and healthcare professionals are expected to follow when treating people with musculoskeletal conditions.

Shona Robison: Healthcare professionals in Scotland are expected to take account of the national clinical guidelines produced by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) which contain recommendations for effective practice based on current evidence.

  There are several key clinical guidelines relating to musculoskeletal conditions, including:

  SIGN Guideline 111 on the management of hip fracture in older people, covering pre-hospital care, management in the emergency department, pre-operative and post-operative care, discharge planning and rehabilitation;

  SIGN Guideline 71 on the management of osteoporosis, which aims to ensure the timely identification and treatment of people at highest risk of developing osteoporosis, as well as those who already have the disease, and

  Revised SIGN Guideline 48 on the management of early rheumatoid arthritis, due to be published in summer 2010. The guideline addresses diagnosis and pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and the role of the multidisciplinary team in improving care.

  In addition, the Scottish Government issued guidance as HDL(2007)13 on 21 February 2007 which expects NHS boards and community health partnerships (CHPs) to have in place a combined falls and bone health strategy. The HDL sets out specific actions for both NHS boards and CHPs to take forward work on falls and falls prevention.

Health

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to promote and disseminate (a) evidence-based guidance and (b) care pathways for people with musculoskeletal conditions as part of an integrated multidisciplinary approach.

Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32675 on 21 April 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

  In December 2008, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) published its report on a clinical audit of care in rheumatoid arthritis (CARA), to help implement key SIGN guideline recommendations and identify any significant variations in the provision of care. The Scottish Society for Rheumatology’s web-based audit programme, supported by NHS QIS, is currently undertaking further work relating to newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, with specific audit relating to the key recommendations from the CARA project.

  We have highlighted to the Scottish Society for Rheumatology (SSR) the benefits of a Managed Clinical Network (MCN) for rheumatoid arthritis, as an MCN approach would help promote multi-disciplinary working and develop standards of care. MCNs require an evidence base, and SIGN Guideline 48 on rheumatoid arthritis provides this. They are also required to participate in audit, and CARA would satisfy this core principle. We have also highlighted the benefits of an MCN approach to the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance and the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, since the voluntary sector must be involved in all MCN developments.

  In addition, we have indicated our support for the Scottish Society of Rheumatology’s wish to encourage greater involvement of primary care teams, in order to promote a multi-disciplinary approach to rheumatoid arthritis care, and a willingness to work with the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland on the possibility of developing GPs with a special interest in rheumatoid arthritis.

  We have drawn the recommendations of the NHS QIS osteoporosis audit (2005) to NHS boards’ attention to help ensure that people who have sustained a fracture receive appropriate therapies to prevent osteoporotic fractures in future.

  HDL 2007 13 of 21 February 2007 expects NHS boards and community health partnerships (CHPs) to have a combined falls and bone health strategy in place. It was also issued to local authorities, as robust falls and fracture management and prevention strategies are imperative for residents in care homes, because of their high incidence of falls and fractures.

  We are in the process of developing a National Falls Programme with the aim of significant service re-design to improve the delivery of falls services. The re-design focuses on how both access to services and assessment procedures can be managed by a multi-professional team working in a community setting. NHS QIS has appointed a national falls programme manager to establish a network of local falls co-ordinators to share experiences and provide good practice arrangements for assisting people who are uninjured after a fall.

  An osteoporosis Directed Enhanced Service (DES) has been extended until March 2011 to all Scottish GP practices to ensure eligible women who have had a fragility fracture are investigated for possible osteoporosis.

  We have appointed rehabilitation co-ordinators in each NHS board area who are responsible for mapping existing local rehabilitation services in health and social care, re-designing services with the support of the National Implementation Group, integrating health and social care rehabilitation services and promoting case and care management approaches in rehabilitation and enablement teams. This critical overview of rehabilitation services will ensure that all rehabilitation teams develop services based on patients’ needs, rather than historical service delivery models.

Health

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the benefits of developing and implementing appropriate care pathways for the management of patients with a long-term musculoskeletal condition.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government Health Directorates are in the process of developing a National Musculoskeletal (MSK) Programme with the aim of significant service re-design to improve the delivery of MSK and chronic pain services. The re-design focuses on how both access to services and assessment procedures can be managed by a multi-professional team working in a community setting.

  Officials from Scottish Government Health Directorates are setting up a meeting with the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) to consider how the new approach to the management of RA being piloted in the East of England Strategic Health Authority sits with the development of the National Musculoskeletal Programme.

  We are also seeking to develop minimum datasets for use within community-based musculoskeletal rehabilitation in Scotland. A Consensus Development Conference is being held on 12 May to evaluate the available scientific and practice based information on the assessment of a range of musculoskeletal conditions encountered in a community based setting and develop an evidence-based consensus statement with recommendations for practice and future research to inform clinical standards, best practice statements and clinical guidelines.

  In addition, the Scottish Public Health Network (SPHN) has included in its work plan for 2010-11 an update of the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme (SNAP) report on RA in adults, originally published in December 2002.

Health

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in relation to the treatment of people with musculoskeletal conditions, what assessment has been made of (a) prevention, (b) self-care, (c) access to primary care services, (d) multidisciplinary clinical assessment and treatment services, (e) hospital-based specialised care and (f) rehabilitation and supporting the return to work set within a wider multidisciplinary framework.

Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answers to questions S3W-32676 and S3W-32677 on 21 April 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

  Funding has been provided through the Delivery Framework for Adult Rehabilitation for a national lead to support the roll out of the National Musculoskeletal Programme. It will look to develop integrated multi-disciplinary teams working within community settings, and onward referral mechanisms, in order to improve access to diagnosis and treatment, reduce waiting times, enable self management and, where appropriate, to facilitate early return to work and avoid long-term absence and long-term dependency on social security benefits. Pain management services are integrated in the programme.

Health

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-31318 by Nicola Sturgeon on 22 February 2010, whether the (a) timescale and (b) capital cost for the new Alexandria Medical Centre has now changed.

Nicola Sturgeon: At this stage there has been no change to the timescales and capital cost for the Alexandria Medical Centre, as indicated in the response to S3W-31318. It will be possible to confirm the plan for the re-provision of the Alexandria Medical Centre when NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde capital review, as outlined in the answer to question S3W-32945 on 21 April 2010, has been completed.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its average subsidy per house is for local authority housing in 2010-11.

Alex Neil: The maximum subsidy is £25,000 per unit for those councils which were successful in round two of the Incentivising Council House Building Fund, which is being increased for round three to £30,000 per unit. Round three of the fund is ongoing (closing date for applications is 30 April 2010). Funding is provided on completion of the project and therefore the actual grant levels cannot be supplied. Information will be published at the end of the 2010-11 financial year.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its average subsidy per house is for local authority housing built using Housing Association Grant funding in 2010-11.

Alex Neil: Local authorities do not receive any funding through the housing association grant scheme as this is solely for housing associations. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32881 on 21 April 2010 which provides details of the subsidy per house for local authority housing in 2010-11.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

NHS Finance

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the capital allocation for each NHS board was for (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10 and will be for 2010-11.

Nicola Sturgeon: The formula capital allocations made available to each NHS board and for the years 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 are detailed in the following table:

  

NHS Board
2007-08  
£ Million
2008-09
£ Million
2009-10
£ Million
2010-11
£ Million


Ayrshire and Arran
21.161
21.451
21.783
18.472


Borders
5.983
6.034
6.128
5.196


Dumfries and Galloway
9.069
9.022
9.161
7.769


Fife
17.412
18.180
18.461
15.655


Forth Valley
14.433
14.534
14.758
12.515


Grampian
27.832
29.330
29.782
25.256


Greater Glasgow
97.608
97.417
98.920
83.887


Highland
18.533
18.596
18.883
16.014


Lanarkshire
28.390
29.495
29.950
25.398


Lothian
48.644
51.481
52.276
44.331


Orkney
0.774
0.893
0.907
0.770


Shetland
0.860
1.014
1.029
0.873


Tayside
24.347
24.650
25.030
21.226


Western Isles
1.954
1.902
1.932
1.638


Total
317.000
324.000
329.000
279.000


NHS Special Boards2
 
 
 
 


State Hospital
6.100
20.263
26.552
39.181


Scottish Ambulance Service
11.700
15.180
13.200
19.338


National Services Scotland
5.300
5.750
6.000
6.308


Golden Jubilee National Hospital
3.300
9.678
6.625
7.054


NHS 24
2.000
1.608
1.608
1.319


NHS Quality Improvement Scotland
-
1.790
1.690
0.250


Health Scotland
-
 
 
0.290


Total
28.400
54.269
55.675
73.74


Central Programmes3
170.6
146.93
152.62
204.96


Accelerated Capital
 
 
50
Note 1


Total
516.0
525.2
587.3
557.7



  Notes:

  1. Following discussions with NHS boards on the overall delivery of the health programme, the formula allocations for 2010-11 were adjusted from the indicatives previously notified on 9 February 2009 to reflect the repayment of accelerated capital of £50 million and the removal of inflation provision of £5 million reflecting the reduction in construction costs over the past year.

  2. Special boards allocations reflect a continuing minor works allocation, provision for projects approved by Health Directorates Capital Investment Group and a provision for projects identified outwith delegated limits contained within local delivery plans.

  3. In addition to the formula allocation, targeted resources are held centrally and allocated as required to the NHS boards in-year. Current programmes of this type include Primary Care, e-Health, Medical Equipment and Cancer Strategy. The sums held centrally for these programmes are set out in the table.

NHS Finance

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is reviewing its capital programme for 2010-11 and beyond and whether this includes the rebuilding of the Southern General Hospital.

Nicola Sturgeon: All NHS boards keep their activity under review in order to ensure the delivery of best value for taxpayers’ investment.

  NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is currently reviewing its capital programme and expects to conclude this review by 15 May 2010 when a capital plan for 2010-11 and beyond will be presented to the NHS board’s performance review group for approval.

  However, this does not affect the delivery of the new South Glasgow Hospital.

  NHS Scotland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde remain totally committed to the delivery and construction of the New South Glasgow Hospital project, which will be operational in 2015.

NHS Finance

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what capital projects are currently planned by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for 2010-11 and beyond, broken down by (a) project cost and (b) timescale for delivery.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has not yet completed formal approval processes for a capital plan for 2010-11 and beyond. The plan is due to be discussed at the NHS Board’s Performance Review Group on 15 May 2010 and will be available thereafter.

NHS Finance

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the formula capital allocation for NHS Tayside is in 2010-11 and was in (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07, (c) 2007-08, (d) 2008-09, (e) 2009-10, also expressed in 2010-11 values.

Nicola Sturgeon: The formula capital allocations to NHS Tayside from 2005-06 and the inflation adjusted figures are shown in the following table:

  

Year
Formula Capital Allocation 
£ Million
Expressed at 2010-11 Values 
£ Million


2005-06
16.906
17.955


2006-07
20.276
20.915


2007-08
24.347
24.410


2008-09
24.650
24.107


2009-10
25.030
24.907


2010-11
21.226
21.226



  The figures expressed at 2010-11 prices have been adjusted from their original value using the HM Treasury GDP deflator.

Pensions

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it played a role in the freeze on teacher and health service pensions and, if so, what.

John Swinney: The responsibility for deciding on and applying the annual up-rating of public service pensions is a matter reserved to Westminster and in particular the Minister of State for Pensions and the Ageing Society. It is therefore not within the devolved powers of the Scottish Government to set or apply a different policy for Scottish pensioners.

Regeneration

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Aberdeen City Council regarding the potential use of tax increment financing for city centre regeneration projects in Aberdeen.

John Swinney: There have been initial discussions with Aberdeen City Council regarding the potential use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in Aberdeen.

  The Scottish Government is open to innovative ways of encouraging local economic growth and enabling infrastructure where this delivers value for money for the taxpayer. TIF is being actively considered as one such option.

  We have tasked the Scottish Futures Trust to liaise with local authorities interested in exploring the use of TIF to fund public infrastructure. TIF proposals will be assessed equally on their merit to ensure that these deliver value for money.

Rivers

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the recommendation of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in its Consultation on Proposals for a new Border Rivers Order for the River Esk that, when enforcing legislation in the River Esk area, the Environment Agency should be able to bring a case to court in either the Scottish or English judicial system irrespective of where the offence is committed.

Roseanna Cunningham: The purpose of this byelaw is to enable enforcement officers to deal with any offences committed in-river, without having to prove on which side of the medium filum of the river the offence was committed. The medium filum in places forms the legal border between Scotland and England. It is not a fixed point because the mid-point of the channel moves owing to the passage of water causing changes to the river bank.